To be able to lead others, one must go forward alone.
Stutter looked around in the dark trying to make sure that she wasn't in her dream world. She gave a deep sigh when she saw that in her tent and well away from the dream land. Now that her breath was steady she layed back on to her lumpy cot. She could still hear the crying in her dreams as if it was real. She say up again and looked around. The crying was real. Tigger's bed was empty, she noticed and deduced that he was the one crying. She rolled over pulling her covers up to her chin and willed herself back asleep. It wasn't that she was beyond caring or anything, it was just that this is a criminal's camp, and you don't survive by playing nurse to everyone who gets a little homesick or regrets what they've done. Besides, he would have been beyond embarrassed if anyone found out that he was 'weak'.
Mr. Sir had personally come to wake up D tent today. He said that he needed Nevada and Stutter to talk to some government officials and show them around the camp, talking about all the things they do and "hint" at what was needed. They didn't have to dig today and got to have a shower up at the wardens cabin to get cleaner than the cold shower they'd usually have would allow.
Today was also the day that Sidewinder got to go home. His sentence up, he had a home to get back to, hopefully a girlfriend and a second chance at a good life. Since he was leaving today, he also didn't have to dig today and he was allowed to help Stutter and Nevada get ready for the meeting.
Nevada was thoroughly enjoying his shower. It was the longest and best one he'd taken in a long time. When he got out and looked at himself in the mirror, towel wrapped around his waist, he realized how much he had changed. He wasn't a bad looking kid when he left home, but being out in the sun while digging holes everyday changed him. His hair was a lighter shade of blonde with natural streaks, his skin was a darker tan colour and his muscles were toned all over. The biggest physical change was his weight. He'd been slightly over weight when he first came to Camp Green Lake. Not much, only about 25 pounds over, but it was all gone and turned into muscle now.
Sidewinder got to take a shower too. He made his quick, soap up, rince down, get out. Sure he was glad to have a nice shower for once, but he didn't need it to take a long time. He had better things to do, like help the others get ready. He put on a plain white t-shirt and a pair of dark wash jeans and went back to the living room where Stutter was waiting with the warden. They were going over last minute details of what she and Nevada were going to "hint" to the officials.
"Hey, looking good," Stutter noted, looking up when he walked into the room. With his shorter black hair messy, dark blue eyes glinting excitedly, he looked dangerous. But Stutter knew that he was far from that. He had changed during his time at Camp in a mental way more than physical. He wouldn't hurt anyone anymore.
Sidewinder just nodded his head in her direction and sat on the couch beside her. He nodded his acknowledgment to the warden as well. He just sat on the couch for the rest of the time listening to the women talk about something that would no longer concern him directly.
Stutter's shower lasted a long time. She finally got out when Nevada started banging on the bathroom door demanding that she get out before she drowned in there. Stutter shouted back that unless he gave her time to shave her legs, she was not going anywhere that showed her legs and then said that if she was going so slowly, that he come in and help her. The banging on the door ceased and she heard footsteps retreat down the hallway in defeat. One Point for Stutter.
Over an hour after she first entered, Stutter finally left the bathroom. She was clean, shaved and smelt good. And she was only wearing a towel because she forgot the clothes she was supposed to wear in the front room with the warden and no one was answering her when she called for them. She quietly crept through the house and darted into living room to grab the dress. She figured that everyone was in the kitchen because she didn't see anyone. She nearly made it out unseen when Nevada walked into the room.
"Don't look at me!" she yelled as she ran the rest of the way out of the room. Nevada, who didn't even see anything, shrugged his shoulders and walked back into the kitchen.
Stutter slipped into a pair of khaki cargo shorts and a plain black, semi tight tanktop. She smiled happily at herself and say down in front of the little vanity to start working on her hair and makeup. She was going to cut her hair and leave it quite short. She only used a small amount of makeup. When she was all done, she slipped on a pair of runners and left the room.
The boys of D-Tent were sweating under the sun digging their holes. Since they had to dig an extra two holes, they were allowed to start earlier to get them done before it got too late at night. If they were lucky and worked hard enough they might be able to see everyone before they left.
At the lunch break after the truck had left, Gorge was pissed off with the rate they were working at. He threw his shovel on the ground angrily and sat down at the edge of his hole in defeat.
"No one actually even checks our holes after we dig them. It's so stupid. We should just cheat a little and not dig them to the full depth and stuff. And then move on to the others holes as soon as we can." Gorge was grinning at his idea as he said it. He looked around at the others to see what they thought of his idea.
Tigger, X-Ray and Claustro looked at each other and then back to Gorge. They grinned wildly and jumped back into their holes to make them a bit bigger before moving onto the other two. The four of them would be done in no time.
A dirty yellow school bus rattled down the long dirt road in the middle of no where. Only one boy sat on the bus for that trip. His hands were handcuffed to the seat in front of him and he was bored out of his mind. The bus was hot and smelly and he was sticking to his seat. The bus driver wouldn't put any music on and there was nothing to look at out side the bus except, to his curiosity and slight apprehension, holes. He had been on the bus all day and he couldn't wait to get off and stretch his legs. He had realized a few hours ago that there was a limo following them and was confused on why one would be going to a detention camp.
Gorge, Tigger, X-Ray and Claustro were hurrying back to camp after they finished all the holes. The threw their shovels into the pile in front of the library and ran to the tent to quickly change into their relaxing jumpsuit. They could see the bus coming up to the camp so they knew that Sidewinder would be leaving soon.
But Sidewinder was leaving. He'd been there the longest compared to the rest of the D-Tent. When he's gone, they'd need to appoint a new leader. They all had a pretty good idea who it'd be. The final decision would be up to Sidewinder though. Left in a note.
Stutter stepped out of the house behind Nevada. She was nervous for the second time since coming to the camp. She wasn't the best at talking to people from the government. Since they were the ones that put her here, she had a little bone to pick with them.
Nevada looked really casual in a black t-shirt, a matching pair of cargo khaki shorts and a pair of runners. His hair was still shaggy, but cleaned up slightly so it looked good enough to go be seen in. He was relaxed and found it slightly comical how tough and rough Stutter was cowering behind him.
The warden shoed them out from blocking the front door and stepped out behind them. She was wearing a pair of dark wash jeans and cowboy boots and a dark green blouse. It wasn't the easiest colour to pull off, but with her red hair, she did it well.
Sidewinder followed them out, slouching slightly against the door frame as he surveyed the scene in front of him. He was going home, finally going home. Yet he was going to miss everyone from his tent. They had become his family in the time he was here. Not just that, he was their leader. They looked up at him, even though it looked like they were all the same or Stutter and Gorge were the leaders, they all looked up to him. He had actually written a letter giving his opinion on who should take over but they wont find it till later tonight.
The bus was entering the camp as Gorge, Tigger, X-Ray and Claustro ran up to Nevada, Stutter and Sidewinder. They all stood there looking at the bus for a moment while an awkward silence fell over them. They watched as a boy with brown hair stepped off the bus. No one wanted to say goodbye to Sidewinder just yet.
"Stutter, lookin' like a girl for once," Gorge broke the silence.
Stutter gave him a small glare and laughed, "Don't get used to it buddy. It aint gunna last. Nevada on the other hand, he shall always look like a girl."
Tigger walked right up to her and ruffled her hair with his hand with a slight grin on his face. "Nice do."
Nevada, who had previously had his arms crossed in front of him, stepped forward and raised his hands defensively. "What do you mean I look like a girl!" The others laughed at him. He scowled at them and pointed to his face. "I'm just too handsome to be a girl."
Sidewinder just shook his head and laughed. His choice was the right one. Everyone would get along fine.
They waited while the warden talked to Mr. Sir and Mom and then the limo driver. X-Ray wasn't saying much, but then and again, he didn't really know Sidewinder enough to relive all the fun moments he had with him like the others were.
They were all standing in a circle as a group. They weren't paying attention to anything, they were just trying to get in their last moments with the tent leader. They didn't notice Mom standing there with the new kid trying to get their attention.
"Boys!" Mom yelled as loud as he could to finally get their attention. They all turned towards him and the new kid.
"Oh hi Mom. What's happening?" Gorge asked like Mom hadn't been standing there for the past three minutes.
"I wanted to introduce the new member to D-Tent, Nathan, but you all were too busy ignoring me for that to happen," Mom replied. No one knew he could sound annoyed and not happy for once.
"Umm , sorry Mom, we were just saying good bye to Sidewinder. You know, since he's leaving soon and all." X-Ray explained to Mom who took it as a good answer and was soon as happy-go-lucky as he usually is.
"Well that's alright boys. I know how close you were to Ethan and how much he's going to be missed when he leaves," Mom launched himself into a lecture about being a good community member and a good person. No one was paying attention, their eyes were glued to the new kid, who was staring at Stutter rather noticeably.
"Yo knew kid, what's your deal?" Sidewinder demanded, arms crossed and glaring darkly.
"Yeah, you got a staring problem or somethin'." Tigger suggested crossing his arms as well He usually was easy to get along with but if you agitated Tigger, you realize why he's here. "Cause you aint makin' that great of a first impression staring at one of us like that."
The new kid looked indifferent to the looks he was getting. He considered himself tough enough. He just stared back at the others without saying anything.
Mom finally noticed the heated expressions being sent to and fro and that no one was paying attention to him. "Hey there, be nice everyone. This is Alan, he's our new tent mate. I want you all to make him feel welcome, y'all hear? And Alan, don't start any fights on your first day here, be a good neighbour."
"Yes Mr. Pendanski," Alan said lowly. He didn't respect the man at all.
"That a boy," Mom said, clapping him on the back. "Well I have some stuff to take care of, so I'm leaving introductions up to Nathan and I would say Kennedy, but I don't know how much longer you're going to be here for. Good night boys."
Stutter stepped forward towards Alan. "Look here new kid. I aint one to be stared at. I've been here longer than you, I am higher up than you. Hell, even X-Ray is higher up than you and he only got here a few weeks ago. While I'm here, I am one of the guys, you'll see that tomorrow. I got a bunch of guys that'll back me up if you try anything so watch it. I'm a girl, get over it. I'm here for the same reason everyone else is. I did shit and now I'm paying for it, same as you." She was really ticked, her bright brown eyes flashing the dangerous glint that got her here.
Sidewinder put a calming hand on her shoulder. She took a step backwards and took a deep breath. Once she was calm enough, she walked back towards Alan. "My name's Stutter, welcome to Camp Green Lake," she stuck her hand out for him to shake.
"Alan," he said in return, giving her hand a firm squeeze.
Stutter went along and introduced everyone including Sidewinder, even though he was leaving in a few minutes. With Sidewinders help, but not much of it, she explained what they do during the day, and the tents unwritten rules. He and X-Ray were getting along pretty well as well, she noted.
The bus was finally ready to leave with Sidewinder so the group finally had to say their farewells. The guys basically started by shaking his hand, but ended up pulling him into a 'manly' hug before letting go and letting him move on to the next fareweller. The last person to say goodbye was Stutter.
"You're gunna take good care of them now," Sidewinder told her. "You and Gorge will keeps y'all together. Help each other out."
Stutter nodded her head in affirmation. "I'll do my best, though it will be hard to live up to you," she gave a lazy smile. "You're going to write right? Stay in contact with us?"
"Of course I will. But only if you all write back." Sidewinder looked up when the bus driver told him to hurry up. "I got to go now. Take care and have fun tonight. You and Nevada look great. I'll pop by some time to visit you when you're out of here, maybe bring my girlfriend to meet you."
"Yeah, that'd be cool. Don't forget to write now. And good luck, the real worlds not as nice as we are!"
After a quick hug and a wave to everyone Sidewinder boarded the old school bus. He didn't have to be handcuffed to the chair anymore like when he first arrived, and neither did his feet. He wasn't violent anymore. He didn't need them. As the bus pulled away, he gave one last wave out the window and turned away, trying to get comfortable in his chair. A new chapter in his life was about to begin.
The warden walked over to where Stutter and Nevada were standing, watching the bus pull away.
"Boys, go back to your tent, Nevada and Stutter, follow me," she said and walked towards the limo. The driver held the door open as two men in suits climbed out.
"This is it?" Stutter asked Nevada.
"This is it."
Well, its been a while, but here's chapter four. Please review with comments about the story.